The following essay is reproduced with permission from 
The conversationan online publication covering the latest research.
Even the most dedicated cat owners wonder at some point, perhaps waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night, if their cat really loves them. Dog people love to smugly emphasize the long history of dogs as mankind’s best friend.
But research shows that cats’ reputation as cold, aloof pets is undeserved.
Due to their evolutionary ancestry, domestic cats are, by nature, more independent than dogs. The wild ancestors of our cats did not live in social groups like canines do. However, during the process of domestication, cats developed the ability to form Social relations not just with other cats, but also with humans.
Although they cannot rely on people feel secure as dogs do, many cats show affection towards their keepers and seem to greatly enjoy the company of their human companions. Their attachment to humans is partly influenced by their experiences of being manipulated by people like a kitten.
Cats behave towards humans the same way they react towards their feline friends, so the secret to knowing if your cat feels bonded to you lies in its behavior.
1. Pay attention to odors
The ability to communicate with other cats over long distances and when they are no longer physically present was an advantage for their wild ancestors. Our pet cats have retained this “supersense” and rely heavily on it. form of communication .
In particular, cats use perfume to identify the members of their social group or family, by sharing a group olfactory profile. Cats have scent glands on their sides, head, and around their ears, and often rub their heads against people and objects that are familiar and comforting.
Is your cat rubbing its head or side against your legs? The soft sensation you feel against your calves is actually your cat tag you as a friend and that’s a huge compliment.
2. Watch how they greet you
One of the most obvious signs that your beloved pet loves you is the way your cat greets you. When cats greet members of their social group, they show signals to indicate friendship and a desire to get closer. Cats also show these signals to humans.
A tail held upright from the mast shows friendly intent (the feline equivalent of a wave), indicating familiarity, trust and affection. Some cats also use a question mark-shaped tail to greet someone they love, or movement they want to play.
Cats sometimes entwine their tails as a sign of friendship and human equivalent of this is to wrap their tail around your calf.
Rolling over and exposing its vulnerable belly is another gesture a cat has in you. However, cats prefer to be stroked on the head and neck, so this is usually not a belly rub request.
Attempts to stroke a cat’s belly often result in hasty retreat, or even claws. The chirrup or trill greeting is a melodious sound that cats make when saying hello to favorite people. So if your cat sings to you this way, rest assured that he is happy to see you.
That familiar feeling when your cat hits the back of your knee can also be a sign that he feels an extremely close bond with you. The feline version of a high-five, the headbutt is usually reserved for a cat’s closest feline friends and most trusted humans.
3. Look for Blinks
Your cat might also secretly signal affection in the way he looks at you. When cats encounter strange humans or other cats they don’t know, they usually greet them with a steady gaze. But they are more likely to blink slowly at cats they have a good relationship with.
Research suggests that slow blinks are associated with a positive emotional state and can be a sign of confidence, contentment and affection, similar to a human smile. If you want to return the compliment, blink and your cat might blink back. This is a good way to bond with your cat if he doesn’t like being touched.
4. They are getting closer
Cats are very protective of their personal space and don’t like unwanted guests to invade it. If a cat allows you to get close to it, it suggests a close bond, especially when the contact is frequent or long-lasting.
Snuggling up on your knees for a nap is a sign of deep confidence. Grooming only happens between cats with a warm relationship, so licking your hand or face can be a show of affection, even if those barbed tongues might not be so gentle.
This article was originally published on The conversation. Read it original article.